What motivates students when they engage in learning for personal satisfaction?

Intrinsic motivation is the correct answer because it refers to the drive to engage in activities for their own inherent enjoyment or satisfaction rather than for some separable consequence. When students learn for personal satisfaction, they are internally motivated by their curiosity, interest, or passion for the subject matter. This type of motivation fosters a deeper level of engagement, comprehension, and retention, as students pursue knowledge and skills for their value and interest rather than for external rewards or pressures.

In contrast, extrinsic motivation, which focuses on external factors such as grades, rewards, or recognition, can influence students but does not relate to learning for personal satisfaction. Peer influence and teacher authority also pertain to external forces that can affect a student's motivation but do not capture the essence of intrinsic motivation, which is about deriving pleasure or fulfillment from the learning process itself.